KGOMOTSO: HIS FIRST

Chapter 13

SIMPHIWE

APRIL, 2008

"This is weird."

Simphiwe: "I know, but they look happy."

"No, I'm not talking about them, I'm talking about you. You're weird."

Oh? She's only known me for 2 weeks. This girl disrespects me.

I really wish Sihle could be here right now but he's in KZN with my aunt, my dad and Nomasonto. I don't know why they're there now, but it's official. My dad is getting married in October - again. I'm not even angry. I've accepted it and I can see that Nomasonto actually makes my dad happy. I don't even remember him being this happy.

I can't remember when, but I think around mid-June two years back, I started warming up to her when my dad invited me over to celebrate her birthday. That was the day I saw a change in my dad and I realised it was all her. Yes, my father and I have been talking again and we're becoming close. I'm sure he accepted that I'd be living with Ntombele and he made peace with it. But I'd always pop in time and time again just to remind him that I'm still his son. I'm still a Pholoba and that would never change.

Tomorrow is my baby's 16th and unfortunately her parents took her to celebrate with her. My mom was quite disappointed because she really likes Kgomotso and she wanted to make a party. I told her this and she thought it was cute. I still think it's weird. Sometimes it's hard to believe that her and I really made it this far in two years. Sure, those two years were hard because it's hard hiding a person you love so much from this judgemental school, plus with Lindiwe and the '88s two years ago.
I remember last year when Kgomotso came to me and said Lindiwe was stalking her. As in, tracking her every move. I went and confronted her and she gave me the lamest excuse. Tim said that's because she's been wanting me and I was just too blind to see, but at that point she was becoming a psycho. She stopped bothering Kgomotso after I threatened to end the friendship we have. Oh and trust me, it's skating on thin ice. Back then it would be hard, but she's making it easier. She's become such a problem ever since I met Kgomotso and she became ten times worse since the '88s finished matric.

Even Thuli ended her friendship along with Beauty and they both wanted out of our gang. I'm still close with Thuli. Nthabiseng has become closer to Lindiwe. Lindiwe has become that girl. Especially now that she's a matriculant and thinks she calls the shots. I think it's her father's power that's gotten over her head. She's still my friend, but these days it's like I don't know Lindiwe anymore. The gents are actually scared that Lindiwe could be a Psycho. I don't know and honestly, I'm starting not to care. I just want to focus on what's really important; God, my family - as blended as it is - and my darling, Kgomotso.

"How is she?" Bab'Zothile asks after he settles on the seat across me.

Simphiwe: "Disrespectful."

He laughs. His daughter doesn't like me and she's not hiding that all.

Zothile: "She was like that to your mom too, but she started warming up to her."

I like bab'Zothile. He seems pretty cool. I like how laid back and how chilled he is. I had to learn to accept it. Accept that both my parents have moved on and they're happy with their new partners. Kgomotso also likes him too. Yep, she's been to my house a few times. That's because I'd have to beg her and I told her that I don't like begging, I'm a Zulu man. I don't beg and she would just laugh. Date a Pedi girl at your own risk. She will make sure you beg.

But that Bonolo girl better accept that I'm her step-brother because I don't see bab'Zothile and my mom ending this relationship of theirs.

KGOMOTSO